Kennedy Krieger outlines plan for special-education school on Eastern Shore

Kennedy Krieger Institute told the Eastern Shore delegation on Feb. 20 that it is committed to establishing a special-education community school on Maryland's Eastern Shore to serve publicly funded students whose needs cannot be met in local schools.

"As you heard, I'm doctor Brad Schleger. I'm the president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute," Schleger said, outlining the Institute's mix of clinical care, special education and homeand community-based services. He said Kennedy Krieger serves nearly 500 unique students per year statewide and provides roughly 75,000 school-based clinical visits annually.

Schleger described existing Kennedy Krieger campuses in Baltimore, Prince George's County and St. Mary's County and said the Southern Maryland site opened in September 2023. He said the Eastern Shore area is largely unserved by schools of this type and cited outreach and letters of support from regional superintendents and state legislators.

Schleger said the Institute has submitted a capital request routed through the office of Senator Zucker, chair of the Senate capital budget subcommittee, and emphasized local partnerships, including university affiliations and engagement with the Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium (ESMEC).

Delegation members said they would share the presentation materials with colleagues and expressed willingness to help facilitate state and local coordination. The chair asked Kennedy Krieger to provide the slide deck and expanded video used in the presentation for follow-up.

The presentation closed with a commitment to continue consultations with local leaders and to provide contact information and materials for members seeking details or next steps.